Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus or Cymbopogon flexuosus) is one of my favorite essential oils and herbs. Lemongrass essential oil smells fresh, sweet, and lemony. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the beautiful but slightly dangerous grass due to its razor-sharp edges.
This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of the products I have recommended, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosures.
About Lemongrass – History
Lemongrass is one of approximately 55 other species in the Poaceae family of grasses. Of these multiple varieties, the two most popular ones are Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus. Though both can be used to produce essential oils, citratus is largely used for culinary purposes, whereas flexuosus is more popular for use in essential oils and perfumes.
The grass grows in upright dense bunches, it thrives in moist warm climates. Make sure that the soil is well drained, loose dry loam.
It is believed the success of lemongrass essential oil in the global market is due to a display of citronella essential oil, a close relative of lemongrass, at the World’s Fair in 1951.
In South Asia where lemongrass originated from it was historically used to make soups, curries, and a local drink called “fever tea”. The tea was intended to treat fevers, but it also helped diarrhea, irregular menstruation, stomach aches and skin infections.
Uses & Benefits
The scent of lemongrass provides many emotional benefits. Diffusing lemongrass essential oil can help overcome feelings of nervousness or eliminate mental fatigue. Many people use it to help brighten their mood, creating a feeling of refreshment and renewed positivity. For this reason it is used in natural perfume or as a non-toxic air freshener. For some it relieves insomnia which is beneficial for creating a refreshed and renewed sensation. Lemongrass would be a good oil to diffuse before meditation to help clear your mind, uplift mood, and relieve anxiety or stress.
Topically lemongrass essential oil can be combined with a carrier oil to sooth achy joints and assist circulation. The Limonene content is believed to reduce inflammation and provide analgesic properties. This helps to relieve muscle and joint pains often caused by overexerting muscles during exercise. It has also relieved headaches and discomfort associated with arthritis. Lemongrass essential oil has a high citral content which is believed to eliminate or inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus.
You can purchase quality oils through Starwest Botanicals
Lemongrass has been studied as a mosquitoes repellent, there has been promising evidence when used in a nanoemulsion preparation. To learn more view the study on PubMed. Some people are concerned that using lemongrass essential oil may attract bees if it is used as part of a repellent.
As I explore in my article about lemongrass attracting bees, beekeepers have been known to use it as a “swarm trap” because the chemical makeup does mimic the queens pheromone. However, it is more commonly used in beekeeping to help with mite infestations. I have used it as part of my bug repellent lotion in combination with catnip and other scents and have had no issue with bees and kept mosquitoes at bay. It is important to understand the safety concerns as reviewed below.
Use with Animals
In Florida, a common issue with farm animals is a condition called thrush. Thrush is a fungal infection usually affecting the hooves. The humidity and rain cause for a lot of moist areas and often the hooves can’t dry up. Thrush is like humans developing athlete’s foot from sweaty feet. Lemongrass essential oil has been my go to for this condition. I have found that using a 0.5% dilution on large animals can help support them in clearing this condition.
As we reviewed above there is some research showing the benefit as a mosquito repellent. You can make a spray including lemongrass essential oil, just make sure you have a small dilution ratio and are using an emulsifier to ensure the animal is not being sprayed with undiluted essential oils. For smaller animals I would not recommend topical use of the essential oils, instead consider using a hydrosol.
Chemistry
Some of the chemicals in which lemongrass is high in. These include geranial and neral, when these components combined are known as citral. Citral is one of the chemicals that has shown promise in various studies.
Studies have also shown benefits on many different chemical constituents. Below is a breakdown of a few of the constituents and their benefits.
- Myrcene – anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibiotic, sedative
- Geraniol – antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, analgesic
- Neral – apoptotic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory
- Citral – anti-viral, anti-septic, antioxidant
- Citronellal – anti-fungal, sedative, anti-viral, anti-microbial
- Limonene – antioxidant, digestive, appetite suppressant, detoxicant
Understand Marketing
Under United States law, how “aromatherapy” products are regulated will depend on how they are intended to be used.
“FDA determines a product’s intended use based on factors such as claims made in the labeling, on websites, and in advertising, as well as what consumers expect it to do. We also look at how a product is marketed, not just a word or phrase taken out of context. Finally, we make decisions on a case-by-case basis.”
For essential oils they are generally considered a cosmetic. Cosmetics don’t require FDA approval before they go on the market, but the FDA can take action against a cosmetic on the market if there is reliable information showing it is unsafe when consumers use it according to directions on the label, or in the customary or expected way, or if it is not labeled properly.
“Under the law, drugs must meet requirements such as FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before they go on the market.” It is important to understand this information when you are shopping for aromatherapy products. If a company is making claims on an actual product and doesn’t have it approved as a drug, then they may be lacking proper education of how to use essential oils.
The above information is all direct from the FDA. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/aromatherapy
Safety
Studies have found that citral can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation. Lemongrass essential oil may also cause a burning sensation, rash or other skin irritation. It could possibly lead to lowered blood glucose and could lead to negative side effects for those who take oral diabetes drugs or medication to treat hypertension.
Essential Oil Safety – E-Book – $29.98
Retail Price: $99.95
You Save: $69.97
The recommended dilution is 0.7% (Tisserand and Young Pg. 334-335). Due to these precautions use caution with young children, the elderly or pregnant/nursing women.
